The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-23

took no notice Of anybody but Juba. 1t
had mortal terror of the fires, and
would stay quietly in the shed all day
until he came home. Then, what Joy
Juba capered and romped with the dog.
who was wild with delight, and licked his
hands and shoes. The two poor brutes
were human together in their love. Juba,
who never before had cared to leave his
sooty shed, washed himself now in his off
hours, and took Nix, as he called him,
walking, to "show him the town." That
winter he gave up all his time out of the
works to teaching Nix to shuttle, while he
danced Juba. Hominy and corn bread
satisfied the dogs master every day the
year round; but he saved his poor wages
now to bring Nix bit Of fresh meat
every morning.
"Niggah's vittles won do fob himl De
dogs genelman, sahp he would tell the
butcher, proudly.
One evening in April, as the junior
partner in the works was driving home
he passed the shed. Juba and Nix were
at the door. A gentleman in the buggy
with him put his hand on the reins.
"Stop, Wynn. There is dog very like
one lost last fall"
Every likely. That fellow could moi
own high-bred dog like that. No doubt
he has stolen it."
They alighted and crossed the road
Yes, it is Bran. But what are they
about? The dog and the darkey are
both dancing. He is picking a banjo
do you hear?" Mr.. Payne laughed, but
Mr.. Wynn was in no humor to be amused
He knew his dinner was waiting.
"Here, You fellow! Where did you
steal that setter?"
JUDAS jaw dropped. "Foh' de Lohd
sah!'-
"Bah! Call your dog, Payne"
The dog at the approach of strangers
had run to the end of the road, and stood
between his old and new master, cycling
each alternately.
"Here, Braml Why, the brute will moi
even wag his tall We have dozen dogs
on the farm, but cannot be mistaken
That is Bram."
Juba came toward them. His habby
olack jaws we're actually gray. "You
gwine tex him, massa? You got dozen
an I got muffin but him-jest dis yer shed
an Mkt hyah, Nix! Nixr' He held GU,
his hand to the setter.
Mr.. Wynn called "Bram" impatiently
The dog ran toward Juba, and then the
old habit prevailing, turned and slowly
crept up to it's former master. Mr.. Wynn
ordered him into the buggy and they
drove down the road. Juba stood mo-
tionless in the midst of the mud and Gin.
ders, his arms stretched out.
Mr.. Payne was silent for few minutes
81 almost wish we had left the dog. We
have so many"-he said uncertainty
"That poor devil! there was something
terrible to me in his face"
"Pshaw The darkies are all thieyesp
muttered Mr.. Wynn.
Mr.. Psyne's plantation was about eight
miles distant from the. town. 1t lay in a
fertile valley on both sides of stream,
stretching in woodland up the mountain's
side. There we're not only dozen dogs
but other possessions which would con-
stitute it paradise in JUDAS eyes; herds
of mild eyed Attorneys, focks of poultry,
comfortable little cabins for the servants,
roses climbing over the old-fashioned
house, and half dozen noisy, mischiev-
GUS children. Nix was sent to the kennels;
but Mr.. Payne, who was kind hearted
young fellow, could not forget Juba.
A week later he was crossing the ave-
nue. leading to the house, when a couple
of men approached. They were roughly
dressed, and the CRIME of the mill lin
gered in the crevices of their newly wash
ed faces.
"How-dy, sir?" said the foremost, COM
ing forward quickly and speaking with a
sharp, distinct uttersnce. "We're pud-
dlers in Stoll & Wynn's mills. We come
to see you about dog"
"The negro's?"
"Or yours, sir. I reckon it is yours.
We want to buy it,"
"To buy-2 I don't trade in dogs"
Mr.. Payne answered, irritably.
"No. No offense, sir. But the dog
can't be as much to you as it is to Juba.
You're a rich man. Fact is," laughing,
"the whole mills got kind side for the
dark. He's about the poorest creatur on
Gods earth; hadn't nothing but this Nix.
Nothing. Didn't come to work after you
took him. The men found him two days
after mopin' alone in his shed'n' nigh
starved. Them darks is queer, sir. No
human bein' with soul d NOPE for a
dog. But the dark did it. So-we"-
he fumbled in his pocket.
The other man, quiet little American,
finished the story. "The workmen took
up a small collection to buy Nix il you'll
sell him."
81 understand. Who is that man yon-
der, JubaY
"Yes, sir. We brought him along. He
doesn't know what we had in view. We
thought to surprise him."
MIR. Payne hesitated. "He must be a
good fellow at bottom to win both dogs
and men to his side. I'll surprise him,
Gall him up"